'We are going to pump *clap* YOU UP!' - The fitness thread

[Nique]

I don't know why I picked the 'hikym' tag. I guess becuase kung fu masters are generally in good shape, except of course 'Kung Fu Panda', but that's neither here nor there.

Anyway, I can't recall having a 'get your ass in shape' thread for a while, thought it might be helpful to compare notes.

So, personally, I'm just trying to loose weight. After failed attempts at re-instituting a solid workout routine in my schedule, I'm gonna shoot for counting calories. I know this basically sounds like the least fun thing ever, but it's actually not been too bad so far, esspecially with the magic of the internet!

This is probably pretty common knowledge but I didn't know there was anything like this available until last week; Livestrong.com (http://www.livestrong.com) is free and actually has a library of foodstuffs so I don't have to do a bunch of math see how much junk I've eaten, and it also breaks it down into proteins and fat and stuff which is kinda cool.

So share your fitness/ weight loss tips and/or goals!

[Krylo]

Eat less. Move more.

[TopHatAssassin]

Student living. You eat what you can afford, and you can't afford much. Also, chasing buses and running to classes is great cardio.

[Bells]

Actually no... eating less is not necessarily connected to Fitness. You can loose weight that way, sure, but also your health.

Trust me, i lost a ton of weight (still some tons to go) in the last few months, and it shows, and i feel great, and i didn't starve. Sure, it could be BETTER if i dranked less sodas and eated less pizza and burguers, but i didn't had to deprive myself of anything.

Some of the very basic main tips are... try to replace as much as you can of industrial stuff with natural, fresh stuff. This is not very easy because the Natural Fresh stuff is expensive stuff.

Other thing, always start your day with a LIGHT breakfast. It actually puts your body into motion, so you have smaller meals during the day and better digestion.

Try to eat a little something every 3 hours.

Eat some fruit.

Drink fresh juices and Soy based juices more.

Pasta is better than rice (in moderation) and more Vegetables and less Oil also make a difference without you having to sacrifice taste.

Other than that, just search a bit (or talk to a nutritionist) about Stuff with specific functions and vitamins. For instance, i didn't knew that Fresh Lemon juice was good for the Liver, and a Fatty Liver is VERY common if you are overweight and/or drink a lot and it can lead to Cancer

If you make your body work better, getting in shape gets easier

[rpgdemon]

Loose weight seems like it might be dangerous. What if it falls on someone's head?

[mauve]

What is this "fitness" of which you speak?

I'm pretty horrible about exercising. I'm lucky if I get on the WiiFit once a month, let alone do anything close to an actual traditional workout. I should probably remedy this. I don't gain weight, but I'm pretty sure it's still hurtling me along towards an early grave or diabetes or something similarly unpleasant. My main problem is finding something I'm physically capable of doing without hurting myself. Maybe this should be my new year's resolution.

[pochercoaster]

Eat less. Move more.

This.

If you're just going to change your, diet, however: everything in moderation. Generally too much or too little of anything is bad for you. This is why low carb/low protein/low fat diets are bad for you. Obviously some carbs (white bread, soda) and fats (margarine, vegetable oil) are not as good for you as their healthy counterparts (oats, quinoa, sweet potatoes for carbs, and olive oil and nuts for fats.)

That said, simply giving up soda goes a long way towards losing weight without having to exercise, IF you're a soda junkie.

I enjoy cooking as a hobby so it's rare that I actually indulge in junk food. If your tastebuds aren't conditioned to HFCS it's really not that hard to eat well. However I've rarely tasted something I didn't like so I'm content to munch on brussel sprouts and lentils for dinner.

Everyone's different but you might want to try gradually adding healthy foods to your diet instead of eliminating a bunch of unhealthy foods right away, the principle being that it's easier to add something to your diet than remove it.

Exercise-wise: I work out 4-5 times a week, mostly intense cardio (running or spinning/cycling) but I also do weight training inconsistently. I have found regular exercise to be very beneficial for many reasons besides vanity, including: better quality sleep, better posture, LOTS of extra energy (I rarely feel sluggish), and an overall stronger body. Oh yeah, it's also a great way to decompress after a stressful day. I can definitely relate to the feeling of runner's high.

[Specterbane]

No, fitness should never be the New Years Resolution, because no one ever gets those done. Heck, mine was to get an engineering job and that won't even happen till next year.

For me I've only ever been in shape when I've found an activity I enjoy and people to do it with. So I'd say join a league if you can, or find some friends that enjoy learning a new sport. Racquetball is the only thing that's ever been good at keeping me in shape; but it does cost money and require friends who play too, so be wary of that.

[Loyal]

Most of the fitness I get is walking from place to place, because I'm uncomfortable driving cars. I should fix that, I think they even have a gym somewhere at this apartment complex.

[Darth SS]

I've gone from 210 at the end of high school to 170/175 right now. But now that I've gotten permission to go back into the gym...

You heard it here first, by the end of 2011 I want to be 185lbs, with 10% body fat. And I'm going to fucking crush my next VO2 max test. Probably not, VO2 is the closest thing to torture I've ever experienced, but that's not the point.

My work out plan is to do 20 minutes of skipping in the morning, followed by stretching, every day. After that...

Monday- Morning jog/run. Eventually start running with weights. Upper body at gym.
Tuesdy- Lower body at gym. Burn-out pad drills in the afternoon.
Wednesday- Morning jog/run. Upper body.
Thursday- Lower body. Burn-outs.
Friday- "Suck" day. Start asking my kin friends to throw their worst exercises at me.
Saturday- Whole body at gym, 75% effort. Pad work. Extra skipping and stretching at night.
Sunday- Just skipping.


With cleaning up my diet some more, which in this case is pretty much just "No more fries," I think I can do it.

[Nique]

You heard it here first, by the end of 2011 I want to be 185lbs, with 10% body fat.

Some advise from, I assume, your sage:

The key to my exercise program is this one simple truth: I hate my body... Do you understand the second you look in the mirror and you're happy with what you see, baby, you just lost the battle.

[phil_]

20 minutes of skippingYoutube this, please.

[pochercoaster]

My work out plan is to do 20 minutes of skipping in the morning

Yes, I would like to see this too.

It's not really my business I guess but I hope you're aware of common errors that people make in split day workouts, i.e. don't accidentally work the same muscles too many days in a row doing different compound exercises. Your routine looks like it lends itself to overtraining but as I said it's not my business and presumably you're knowledgeable about what you're doing.

</nosy>

[Professor Smarmiarty]

Run up mountains while being chased by KGB agents.

[walkertexasdruid]

I wish I could get into better shape. I am not overly fat, maybe 10 to 15 pounds overweight. I am always exhausted when I come home from work, and my passive-aggressive personality has me making fitness goals that I usually give up on within a week. My days off has me reading books, playing video games, and watching tv and my extensive dvd collection. Maybe I should get that motion thingie for the PS3 and get a workout game for it. Combining excercise and video games is probably the way to go for me.

[Darth SS]

Yes, I would like to see this too.

It's not really my business I guess but I hope you're aware of common errors that people make in split day workouts, i.e. don't accidentally work the same muscles too many days in a row doing different compound exercises. Your routine looks like it lends itself to overtraining but as I said it's not my business and presumably you're knowledgeable about what you're doing.

</nosy>

Well, when I look at it I worry about two things: 1) I may be attacking my calves too much, and 2) Depending on what exercises my friends throw at me, I may need to take both Saturday and Sunday off to recover.

[Magic_Marker]

Pushups, Squats, and other bodyweight training. I hate the gym because getting there and suiting up and moving heavy things is a pain. I get all my cardio going from place to place on my bike. After that you be sure to eat foods that don't suck.

Eat more green than meat. Stay away from grains most of the time, carbs are only really great after you're done with a workout, and don't drink soda pop all the time.

[Azisien]

Strength training is underrated by the masses. Every capable should do it, and everyone incapable should as well.

I've been slacking a tiny bit but I am on a weight lifting regiment three times a week with cardio whenever I want (not often enough). Ive kept it up for 6 months so far.

My weight has gone from 190lbs (25%bf) up to 205lbs (26%bf) during a 3 month bulk and back down to 190lbs (19%bf). My physique is certainly improved and due to overall higher strength, pretty much everything is easier.

I do not go to a gym. People are always selling unused fitness gear. I bought a barbell, dumbells, bench, and 200lbs of weight for $250.